Marin judge sentences prolific auto thief to fifth prison term

A man with a lengthy history of burglary, auto theft and evading police in Marin and Sonoma counties was sentenced to nearly 14 years in state prison Monday.

Jeffrey Montiece Locke, 41, pleaded guilty previously to vehicle theft with prior convictions and reckless evasion. He accepted a sentence of 13 years and eight months in prison as part of a plea arrangement to settle numerous cases in both counties.

Judge Andrew Sweet sentenced Locke in Marin Superior Court.

Marin authorities obtained a warrant for Locke's arrest in May 2013 after a series of incidents in the county.

In one, he allegedly fled and escaped from sheriff's deputies on Lucas Valley Road in a Ford Windstar van stolen from a Santa Rosa funeral home. The van was full of stolen tools and U.S. post office money orders, according to an affidavit by Deputy District Attorney Teresa Leon Varela.

In another incident, Locke allegedly led police on a chase into Marinwood after he was spotted driving a stolen Mazda Miata. After he was stopped on a dead-end street, he escaped by throwing a leather bag at a sheriff's deputy and then kicking a car door into his knees.

Locke was finally captured in September 2013 after a police pursuit in Santa Rosa. He was driving a stolen car and had the outstanding warrant from Marin as well as warrants from other jurisdictions.

Locke had served four prior prison terms on a long list of convictions including vehicle theft, burglary and drug offenses. In 2008, he was arrested after a chase in a stolen car and a subsequent manhunt in San Rafael.